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The Rojillos close the gap to four points from the league leaders but in doing so slip from fourth to sixth position in an enthralling match played in intense heat.

Last season the side from the island of La Palma won away against the B team of Real Madrid in the second from last game of the season giving them hope to avoid relegation from Segunda B (League 1). Even a home win on the final day of the season saw them so unluckily relegated from Spain’s third tier.

Starting XI

This season CD Mensajero got off the blocks to a flyer winning their first five matches and leading the league table. Two defeats in as many games saw them relinquish top spot but only a fool would believe that this side will not be challenging for the promotion places come the end of the season.

Over the last week the weather in Lanzarote has been incredibly hot due to a Calima (Sirocco sandstorm) coming in from the Sahara desert. Temperatures peaked at 40 degrees and without breeze it has been very uncomfortable.

If you are wondering in Britain and other places in Europe why the moon and sky are a strange colour this could well be the answer as Calimas on occasions travel that far.

At kick off time breathing was still difficult but the temperature was slightly cooler in the late 20´s but rising. The officials and both teams agreed that after 22 minutes players would stop and enjoy two minutes of refreshments.

Refreshments halfway before half time

During the first half both sides seem to be showing each other a lot of respect and even though the game was running at a good pace the scoring opportunities were few and far between.

The visitors did have the better chances to take the lead, striker David forced a good save from keeper Alejandro with a stinging shot from 18 yards that was turned wide for a corner kick. From the resulting corner left back Orlando found himself free in the six yard box but from close range he put his downward header just wide of the left hand post and was furious that he had not put his side into the lead.

Mensajero then forced a string of corners but the Rojillos had been taught their lesson and were stouter in their defending of set plays.

Lanzarote showed signs of improvement as the half developed and in the 36th minute a corner from Enrique Castaño found centre back Raúl steaming in, his powerful header from around the penalty spot cleared the crossbar by a couple of feet.

Just before the break a floated ball into the danger zone by right back Dani Garcia should have found striker Trujillo or Miguel Gómez but both players seemed to get in the way of each other when only a touch was needed. With that indecision the La Palma keeper stepped in and claimed the ball.

As the temperature rose into 30 degrees plus so did the pace of that match. It’s a credit to both teams the quality of football in the second half in that heat.

In the 55th minute Lanzarote were awarded a direct free kick from 20 yards. Captain Ayoze Pérez lifted the ball with pace over the wall leaving the keeper motionless and finding the left hand corner of the net to send the Rojillos 1-0 up.

Captain Ayoze Pérez scoring from 20 yards

Some wonderful football was now been played and midfielder Miguel Gómez was at the heart of everything the Rojillos were involved in. Some of his back heels and touches lifted people off their seats and left many wandering what this talented player is doing in the fourth tier of Spanish football.

The talented Miguel Gómez

The La Palma side were far from being outclassed and in the 66th minute they were awarded a free kick on the edge of the 18 yard box. Sub Vianney who had only been on the pitch two minutes whipped in a dangerous shot come cross, the ball took the tiniest of deflections off the shoulder of Javi Trujillo and before the Rojillos keeper could react the ball was in the back of the net to level the score at 1-1.

Lanzarote dominated most of the second half and in the 83rd minute Marcos Cabrera picked out a beauty of a pass towards the penalty spot, substitute Fede Manzi powered in a clean header which left the keeper stationery but unfortunately the ball hit the right hand post and away to safety.

It would have been unkind for the visitors to have taken nothing from the match and with this first draw of the season for the La Palma team it was good enough to keep them in second spot whilst Lanzarote slip to sixth.

Next Sunday Lanzarote travel to La Palma to play 15th placed side UD Los Llanos de Aridane.

U.S. Yaiza continued their excellent form doing something that no side in the league has been capable of this season by beating league leaders UD San Fernando 2-1 and taking 16 points out of a possible 18 lifting them to fourth spot though they have played one game more.

The other Lanzarote side CF Haria lost away 3-1 and are in the last relegation position and are a point from safety. Survival in this league is their only priority and would be a huge achievement. I am positive they will be fighting up until the final day.